Morning Tea: Celebrating World Refugee Day 🗺️ // Fri 18th June, 11 AM- 12PM AEST

Hello @Former-Member

yes definitely, all very valid tips.

I think these are tips for all "difficult' / confronting conversations really. We all need to adopt these for any conversations. Too often when a difficult conversation opening happens it is dismissed in a way that makes the person feel embarrassed or not able to continue - I have had this happen to me around MI.

What can we do collectively to spread the news / tip @Former-Member - I feel like I want to do so much but don't know where to start?

@NatureLover @Former-Member everyone?

Hello @Appleblossom it's good to have you here 🙂

@NatureLover Yes, I think being able to share stories safely (with appropriate support and debrief from those around) is so important, especially when the stories involved traumatic experiences. Though, I do think that safe story-telling can also be positive when it highlights the achievements and strengths of the individual/their family, and empower them to have their voices heard.

That is so great that you had volunteered to teach English! I agree- being able to communicate in English can be a helpful tool/way for people to achieve more!

I have to go out now, but thank you for running this Morning Tea, @Former-Member ! 🙂

Hey @Anastasia

Thanks

I usually share early in relationships that my mother's tongue was not English ... and that I find it natural to share across language barriers with body language etc ...

A few of my uncles were treated as stupid at school as they did not speak English well ... just a smattering ... they arrived in Australia in their school years in the 1950s before there were many programs ... it is probably a bit why things went skewwhiff in my extended family as they all had their legit struggles ...

My brother and I were anti racist, before it became popular .... part of the reason we crumbled ... but part of the reason I still love him despite his last few months alive ... Our family is now a cultural melting pot ... which has its issues ... of lack of understanding ... as in how many different cultures can be easily integrated by vulnerable people .... issues are not always about racism ... but also about marginalisation and lack of resources. I believe we need to unpack that word a lot more ... rather than toss it around ... as it can misrepresent complex realities.

At the moment, I just meet people where they are ... eg neighbours ... polish on one side, persian on the other ... South American across the street. Its nothing new for me, been like that all my life. The persian lady likes practising her english on me ... which I enjoy anyway.

@Anastasia I agree with you! I too have had personal experience in people being dismissive or not wanting to talk to me when I wanted to share my experiences with seeking mental health support. For my culture, sometimes it relates to stigma and the concept of keeping up our faces/ avoid 'losing face. Other times I think it is also about people not knowing how to respond - which is why I think the tips mentioned and some of our resources are really great guides!

Hi @Appleblossom ,
So glad that you could join us
Thank you for sharing about your family and what they had to go through since they arrived in Australia. I agree that the intersectionality of different experiences and identities can contribute to the variety of experiences (such as marginalisation and lack of access to resources) people continue to face today.

I too grew up and live in a multicultural environment (which I love). This has helped me to learn, grow as a person and also become more aware of the different experiences (positive and negative) of those around me.

I was aware of your heritage @Appleblossom which is every reason why it is so great to have you here to add knowledge and depth to the discussion, thank you 🙂

Thank you for sharing with us @Former-Member

Bye @NatureLover thanks for the cuppa and your insights 🙂

Thanks @Anastasia

I'd love a hot cuppa ☕️
I've been trying not to use the central heating too much, to save on electricity bills, but it's so cold today, I've put it on. A cuppa would be good though

Thank you all who have participated in our morning tea chat today @NatureLover @Anastasia @Appleblossom

Before we go, I just want to say that like other significant days and events that we have been celebrating and acknowledging on the forums, this will not be the end of the conversation or our support for people from refugee, migrant or asylum seekers background! We do hope that today’s event has given all of us some food for thought

Thanks again everyone!